14 days left to support crowd funded cycling film - Bicycle

Film makers look to cycling community to help finance film about UK's place in cycling history...

Bicycle documentary

There are just 14 days left to help fund a documentary that seeks to chart the UK’s place in cycling history – from the birth of the modern bicycle in Coventry in the 19th Century through its heyday in the last century and subsequent decline to the recent success of British cyclists on the road and track.

We are supporting it - could you?

We've talked about the film before but to re-cap it's called Bicycle, is being directed by BAFTA winner Michael B Clifford and award winning producer Pip Piper - both keen cyclists - while author and broadcaster Rob Penn is a creative consultant and contributor.

Here’s the trailer for the film which has currently raised more than £4,000 of its target.

Filming has already started, with the team having secured sponsorship from companies led by Trek and Shimano, the latter via UK distributor Madison, but crowdfunding is an important part of its financing and £10,000 in total is being sought through crowdfunding site, Indiegogo.

Various incentives are on offer to backers, ranging from a digital download of the finished film for those pledging £10 right up to an on-screen credit as executive producer for anyone stumping up £5,000 – for which you get extras too, including a Trek bike worth £1,000.

The film will get its world premiere in Yorkshire in July, shortly before the Tour de France Grand Départ there, and it will also be screened in cinemas across the UK.

British Cycling say they are “delighted to be supporting what will be a definitive film about the history and impact of the bicycle in Britain. British Cycling have played a significant role in this history and as such welcome the Bicycle film from the award winning filmmakers who are also keen cyclists. We would encourage all cyclists to see for themselves what the film currently in production is all about. "

Here’s the film’s synopsis:

In 2012, the British Cycling team won seven gold medals out of ten [track] events at the Olympics. In the same year, Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to win cycling’s ultimate prize – The Tour de France. So far 2013 has seen that success continue with Chris Froome winning the 100th edition of the Tour de France. Meanwhile, on the streets, more and more people are taking to their bikes and braving a transport infrastructure that has long forgotten self-propulsion on two wheels. Cycling in Britain, it would appear, has never been so popular. “Bicycle” tells the story of cycling in the land that invented the modern bicycle, it’s birth, decline and re birth from Victorian origins to today. “Bicycle” will be made to coincide with another big year for British sport – the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the coming of the Tour de France to Yorkshire.

Featuring the finest components from archive to contributors and live action from cycling culture now, “Bicycle” will be a humorous, lyrical and a warm reflection on cycling and its place in the national psyche. It will also ask this – could our green and pleasant land shown ripped up in Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony re-turfed? At least in part, for those who wish to make their way under their own steam?

To follow the progress of Bicycle, follow @BICYCLEfilm on Twitter.

What could your funding achieve?

£5,000GBP +

YOUR NAME as an "Executive Producer" in the front end credits of the film. A new Trek bicycle of your choice worth £1000! (Courtesy of Trek UK), Plus 6 tickets to the World Premiere and After Party ahead of the Grand depart of the TDF and a framed and signed "Bicycle" film poster by well known cyclists and the Director and Producer. Plus 4 Be Spoke packaged and signed DVD's. A digital download and 2 place at our meet the filmmakers workshop and of course a shout out on our fan wall.

After an unpromising start, having to be bribed by her parents to learn to ride without stabilisers, Sarah became rather keener on cycling in her university years, and was eventually persuaded to upgrade to proper road cycling by the prospect of a shiny red Italian bike, which she promptly destroyed by trapping a pair of knickers in the rear derailleur. Sarah writes about about cycling every weekend on road.cc.